fight over former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet raises some interesting questions for the Island.

If the General is released by Britain and then returns to Chile via Bermuda, what would happen if an opportunistic human rights lawyer attempted to block the General's return while he was in Bermuda? Equally, what position should the Government generally take on world leaders -- in or out of office -- who happen to arrive in Bermuda? Does Bermuda have a moral responsibility to see that those accused of human rights abuses are tried for their actions? There is little question that if a Bosnian Serb accused of ethnic cleansing was to find himself in Bermuda that the Government would waste little time in sending him to the United Nations war crimes tribunal at the Hague.

But the matter is less clear-cut with the likes of Gen. Pinochet, who does not stand accused of war crimes in Chile -- where he worked out an immunity deal for himself -- but in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

The real question is whether human rights count for more than sovereignty. In a perfect world, the answer would be clear; a man whose country tortured and murdered its opponents while he was leader should not be immune from prosecution, regardless of what deal he worked out before leaving office.

In the real world, the answer is less clear-cut. Spain yesterday opted not to appeal Gen. Pinochet's release due to its desire not to harm relations with Chile; a clear victory for pragmatism over idealism.

In the Pinochet case, Britain, nominally Bermuda's colonial master, has made its own decision and Bermuda may have little Constitutional choice in the matter as the UK is responsible for the Island's foreign affairs.

Indeed, much of this debate is hypothetical for now and thankfully, no decision needs to be made yet. Still, it is hard to imagine that Britain anticipated any of the last year's events occurring when Gen. Pinochet arrived in London for medical treatment.

Bermuda has far less to lose than Spain or Britain in terms of its relations with Chile, but still needs to decide what is in the best interests of the Island. But it will have to live with whatever decision it could make and should proceed with care.

SMART RISKS EDT Smart risks Praise should go to orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Froncioni who has spearheaded bringing the SMARTRISK programme to Bermuda.

The programme, which encourages teenagers to take precautions when driving and taking part in other risky activities, brought a quadriplegic to the Island yesterday who told a hushed audience of teenagers how he went from an active young man to being bound in a wheelchair.

His speech and the programme it launched make the graphic consequences of foolhardy actions clear. They may do more to prevent accidents on the roads and elsewhere than any number of Police radar traps or finger pointing from adults.

Dr. Froncioni's actions seem to have been moved at least in part by the high number of senseless injuries he comes across in his practice. He deserves credit for taking it upon himself to do something about it.